Formed article taking-out apparatus and forming machine

Abstract

A formed article taking-out apparatus used for taking out a formed article from a forming machine. The apparatus includes a base able to be secured to a forming machine; a first arm attached to the base rotatably about a first axis; a second arm attached to the first arm rotatably about a second axis parallel to the first axis; a third arm attached to the second arm rotatably about a third axis parallel to the second axis; an elevating arm linearly movably attached to the third arm; a holding member mounted on the elevating arm for holding an object in the forming machine; a first-arm driving mechanism driving the first arm for rotation about the first axis; a second-arm driving mechanism driving the second arm for rotation about the second axis, independently of the first-arm driving mechanism; a third-arm driving mechanism driving the third arm for rotation about the third axis, independently of the first and second-arm driving mechanisms; and an elevating-arm driving mechanism linearly driving the elevating arm, independently of the first, second and third-arm driving mechanisms.

1 . A formed article taking-out apparatus for use with a forming machine, comprising: 
 a base capable of being secured to a forming machine;    a first arm attached to said base in a manner rotatable about a first axis;    a second arm attached to said first arm in a manner rotatable about a second axis parallel with said first axis;    a third arm attached to said second arm in a manner rotatable about a third axis parallel with said second axis;    an elevating arm attached to said third arm in a linearly movable manner;    a holding member mounted on said elevating arm and capable of holding an object in the forming machine;    a first-arm driving mechanism driving said first arm for rotation about said first axis;    a second-arm driving mechanism driving said second arm for rotation about said second axis, independently of said first-arm driving mechanism;    a third-arm driving mechanism driving said third arm for rotation about said third axis, independently of said first-arm driving mechanism and said second-arm driving mechanism; and    an elevating-arm driving mechanism linearly driving said elevating arm, independently of said first-arm driving mechanism, said second-arm driving mechanism and said third-arm driving mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . A formed article taking-out apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary arm assembly attached to said third arm in a manner operatable independently of said elevating arm; and a second holding member mounted on said auxiliary arm assembly and capable of holding another object in the forming machine.  
   
   
       3 . A formed article taking-out apparatus, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said auxiliary arm assembly includes an intermediate base detachably attached to said third arm; a fourth arm attached to said intermediate base in a manner rotatable about a fourth axis parallel with said third axis; a fifth arm attached to said fourth arm in a manner rotatable about a fifth axis parallel with said fourth axis; a sixth arm attached to said fifth arm in a manner rotatable about a sixth axis parallel with said fifth axis; a second elevating arm attached to said sixth arm in a linearly movable manner; and said second holding member mounted on said second elevating arm.  
   
   
       4 . A formed article taking-out apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first arm, said second arm and said third arm has a hollow structure; and wherein an umbilical member, including a power supply cable connected to said first-arm driving mechanism, said second-arm driving mechanism, said third-arm driving mechanism and said elevating-arm driving mechanism, is laid and accommodated in hollow regions of said first arm, said second arm and said third arm.  
   
   
       5 . A formed article taking-out apparatus, as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a first-arm support member supporting said first arm in a manner rotatable relative to said base; a second-arm support member supporting said second arm in a manner rotatable relative to said first arm; and a third-arm support member supporting said third arm in a manner rotatable relative to said second arm; wherein each of said first-arm support member, said second-arm support member and said third-arm support member has a hollow structure; and wherein said umbilical member is laid and inserted through hollow regions of said first-arm support member, said second-arm support member and said third-arm support member.  
   
   
       6 . A forming machine comprising said formed article taking-out apparatus as set forth in  claim 1.